KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 11 (Bernama) — Malaysia has called upon the Organisation of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) countries to move society from awareness to being literate on science, technology and innovation (STI) and ultimately to become a scientifically engaged society.

Addressing at the First OIC Summit on Science and Technology in Astana, Kazakhstan, the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) Datuk Seri Madius Tangau said in building a true scientific culture in Muslim countries, it required a paradigm shift and greater obligations from governments for building an enabling eco-system.

During the inaugural summit attended by more than 15 OIC member country leaders and 55 ministers on science and technology related matters, Madius also reiterated Malaysia’s position for a clear understanding of the necessity to completely reduce scientific and technological gaps between Muslim ‘ummah’ and developed countries.

“These will also contribute to the earliest implementation of the United Nation (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and promote the principles of cooperation and solidarity among all OIC member states,” the statement said today.

With the theme ‘Science, Technology, Innovation and Modernisation of the Islamic World’, Madius represented Malaysia at the Science and Technology Ministerial Meeting on Sept 9 and followed by the First OIC Summit on Science and Technology on Sept 10 to 11.

At the end of the summit, delegations will adopt two important documents, which are the Astana Declaration and OIC Science, Technology and Innovations (STI) Agenda 2026.

The two documents are OIC’s commitment towards addressing future challenges such as poverty, health, environmental conservation, food security and energy through Ten Year Science and Technology Plan of Action for the OIC Member States which is also in line with the SDG.

The statement said Malaysia sees the priorities set in the 2026 OIC STI Agenda is crucial and will support all the 12 priorities outlined and urged all OIC member countries to participate in the name of solidarity and unity for betterment of the society.

The statement also said the participation of Malaysian delegates in the summit will strengthen cooperation among OIC member countries and opportunity for Malaysia to share experience in science, technology and innovation besides showing Malaysia’s continued commitment in the OIC cooperation framework.

The delegations also attended the closing ceremony of the Astana Expo 2017 last night and seen as a continuation of the MOSTI participation in the Astana Expo from June 25 to 26, 2017.

Malaysia’s participation at EXPO 2017 held from June 10 until yesterday, in Astana, Kazakhstan is organised by the Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water, Malaysia and implemented by its agency, Malaysian Green Technology Corporation with the support of the Title Sponsor, Tenaga Nasional Bhd.

The three-month expo recorded RM6.8 billion potential investment and trade over the first two weeks and also the exchange of four Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) between Malaysian and foreign based companies.